Bologna vs Brann Prediction: I Rossoblu to fend off spirited Norwegians

After three rounds of fixtures, Brann are a surprise top-eight side in the league phase of the 2025/26 Uefa Europa League, having picked up six points from a possible nine so far. Up next for the Norwegian club is a trip to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, where they will take on Italian outfit Bologna, who have won one, drawn one and lost one of their first three games.

Below are my Bologna vs Brann predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of Thursday's first-ever meeting between the two sides (20:00 GMT, TNT Sports 7).

Team News

Bologna midfielder Remo Freuler (unspecified) is expected to miss Thursday's match through injury, but otherwise, I Rossoblu appear to be at full strength.

Football Odds

Brann are missing Saevar Magnusson (knee), Felix Myhre (ankle), Sakarias Opshal (foot) and Jonas Torsvik (knock) for their trip to Italy, while Noah Holm, who scored his side's third and last goal in a 3-0 victory over Rangers last time out in the competition, is a doubt after missing Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Bryne in the Eliteserien.

Bologna vs Brann Odds

Bologna (2/5) are big favourites to win on Thursday, with their odds implying a 71.4% probability of success, while Brann (15/2) are only handed an 11.8% chance, with the draw (4/1) 20%.

Player to Receive a Card - Denzel De Roeve (BOL) @ 21/10

Brann right-back Denzel De Roeve has only been booked twice this season, but on Thursday, he’s likely to be tasked with marking Bologna winger Nicolo Cambiaghi, who is averaging 4.8 fouls won per 90 minutes in this season’s Serie A.

Only Lazio’s Mattia Zacagni (33), who has played 193 more minutes, has been fouled more times in the Italian top flight than the 24-year-old (31).

Cambiaghi only came on in the 82nd minute of Sunday’s 3-1 win at Parma, but was fouled three times, highlighting just how awkward an opponent he can be.

Today's Football Fixtures

In the Europa League, the Italian is averaging 4.3 fouls won per game, despite one of his three appearances in the competition coming from the bench.

In a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa, Cambiaghi was fouled three times, with the home side’s right-back, Matty Cash, booked for upending him in the 42nd minute. Then, in a 1-1 draw at home to Freiburg, he was taken down six times.

Last time out in the competition, in a 2-1 win at FCSB, he was brought on at the start of the second half and earned four free-kicks.

Match Result & Both Teams to Score - Bologna & Yes @ 15/8

Impressively, Brann have scored in all three of their league phase games this season, losing 2-1 away to Lille before beating Utrecht (1-0) and Rangers (3-0) on home soil.

Bologna failed to score in their defeat at Villa but found the net in their next two matches, a 1-1 home draw with Freiburg and a 2-1 win at FCSB.

Thursday's hosts lost three of their first five games this season, suffering 1-0 defeats at Roma, AC Milan (both in Serie A) and Villa, but are now unbeaten in their last eight (W4, D4).

I Rossoblu are still yet to be beaten at home in 2025/26, winning three of their five contests at the Renato Dall'Ara, and I'm confident they will have too much for their Norwegian visitors this week.

However, despite keeping three clean sheets at home, I think Bologna may concede against Brann, who have scored in their last five games across all competitions, despite losing the last two.

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